Krefeld, Germany
Krefeld’s (Kreh-feld) history dates back to the year 50 A.D. when it was a part of the Holy Roman Empire. The city is located on the west bank of the Rhine River, near Holland and is known as the “silk and velvet” capital of Europe.
On May 23, 1985, Mayors Dieter Pützhofen and Harvey Gantt signed an official agreement to make Krefeld Charlotte’s second Sister City. Krefeld and Charlotte have enjoyed being Sister City partners ever since.
Introduction to the City of Krefeld - Lord Mayor of Kerfeld’s Presentation (2022)
May 23, 2021: Krefled Day Proclamation by Mayor Vi Alexander Lyles
About Krefeld
Krefeld is located on the west bank of the Rhine River, near Holland. The population of Krefeld is approximately 238,000 people. Krefeld’s history dates back to the year 50 A.D. when it was a part of the Holy Roman Empire. The principle industries in Krefeld include chemical plants, steel, food processing and machinery manufacturing. The city is known as the “silk and velvet” capital of Europe. Krefeld is home to many museums and theatres. A famous landmark in Krefeld is the Museum Burg Linn, a restored Medieval castle. Sports such as swimming, ice hockey, soccer and horse racing are enjoyed by the citizens of Krefeld.
Welcoming SC Bayer 05 Uerdingen e.V.
From March 21 -27, 2024, Charlotte Sister Cities was proud to welcome SC Bayer 05 Uerdingen e.V., Krefeld’s 14-and-under Soccer Team. This group included 14 student-athletes, ages 13 to 14, coaches, and adult team leaders. While in Charlotte, families from South Academy of International Languages (SAIL) and North Academy of World Languages (NAWL) hosted students. SC Bayer 05 Uerdingen e.V. were invited for a tour of the Charlotte Mecklenburg Government Center and enjoyed a Charlotte FC Match from box seats. Beyond cultural exchanges, the primary purpose of their visit was to compete in three matches with top local under-14 soccer teams, which they swept. They found joy in kicking the ball around with students at the schools they visited. Thank you to Charlotte FC, Charlotte Soccer Factory, NAWL, and SAIL for their partnership in this special visit.
Krefeld’s 650th Anniversary Celebration
On October 1, 2023, a Charlotte Sister Cities delegation represented by Felicia Eybl, Dirk Eybl, Lydia Fergison, David Lynn, Ming Qi, Alexis Gordon (also representing the City of Charlotte), were present in Krefeld to join in their 650th Anniversary Celebration Festivities. In addition to reuniting with Lord Mayor Frank Mayor, the delegation met with former Lord Mayor Dieter Pützhofen, who was Lord Mayor when the Krefeld-Charlotte partnership was signed in 1985. Among the thousands of attendees was Bärbel Bas, President of the Bundestag. The celebration featured proclamations, performances, food, and a light show at the Krefeld Rathaus (City Hall).
June 2023 High School Student Visit to Krefeld
In June 2023, nine students and two faculty from Charlotte Country Day School visited three sister cities in Europe, including Wrocław and Limoges, while utilizing public transportation to travel between locations. They received a warm welcome in Krefeld on June 11 and were graciously hosted for three evenings by families at Gymnasium am Stadtpark (Stadtpark Secondary School). During their stay, the Charlotte students engaged with their peers, attended classes at Gymnasium am Stadtpark, and participated in a grand reception with Lord Mayor Frank Meyer at the Rathaus (City Hall). Other memorable experiences included visits to Linn Castle, Hochschule Niederrhein (Niederrhein University of Applied Sciences), a scenic walk along the riverbank, and a festive dinner at Nordbahnhof, an old train station transformed into a restaurant and brewery. A heartfelt thank you to our friends at Gymnasium am Stadtpark, Hochschule Niederrhein, and the Krefeld City Government for providing us with an exceptional visit!
Lord Mayor Frank Meyer’s Visit to Charlotte
From October 20-27, 2022, Charlotte Sister Cities proudly partnered with the City of Charlotte and UNC-Charlotte to welcome the Lord Mayor of Krefeld, Hon. Frank Meyer, and his delegation including Mr. Karsten Schüller, Krefled City Council and Constituent Department; Mr. Christoph Elles, Krefled Press Office; Dr. Thomas Grünewald, President of Hochschule Niederrhein (Niederrhein University of Applied Sciences); Prof. Dr. Norman Lupa, Dean of the faculty of engineering, Hochschule Niederrhein; Prof. Dr. Marion Halfmann, Internationalization Officer of Hochschule Niederrhein. Charlotte Sister Cities organized a welcome dinner at Midwood Smokehouse, coordinated a lunch with the Mayor’s Youth Employment Program (MYEP), and arranged for school visits to South Academy of World Languages, North Academy International Languages, and Charlotte Country Day School. They joined former Honorary Consul of Germany to Charlotte, Kurt Waldthausen, for a visit to a tree planted outside of Old City Hall in celebration of the Krefeld-Charlotte partnership in 2007. Current Krefeld Chair, Susan zumBrunnen, and her husband, John, hosted the full delegation for a dinner at her home.
Celebrating 35 Years of Partnership
On May 23, 2021, Charlotte Sister City gathered at Olde Mecklenburg Brewery to celebrate the 35th Anniversary of the sister city partnership between Krefeld and Charlotte. We were joined virtually by representatives of Krefeld City Government, including Bürgermeisterin Kerstin Jensen, and others who have long been involved in promoting the relationship. Mayor of Charlotte Vi Alexander Lyles declared the day “Krefled Day” for the City of Charlotte. In Krefeld, the flag of the United States was flying outside of the Rathaus (City Hall). While the relationship between Krefeld and Charlotte was established in 1985, leaders of both cities gathered in Charlotte for the first time on May 23, 1986. The 2021 celebration included speeches, cake, and beverages. A good time was enjoyed by all!
Photos from 2009 and Earlier
A Look Back: the 2003 Maifest Fundraiser
Maifest is a German celebration for the arrival of spring where people dress up in German attire and often sing, dance, and celebrate around a traditional German Maibaum (maypole). In May of 2003, Charlotte Sister Cities hosted a large fundraising event to showcase the spring traditions of our friends in Krefeld, Germany. It was held in collaboration with Krefeld, the German international business community in Charlotte, and the many German cultural and educational organizations located in Charlotte (the German American Chamber of Commerce, Alemannia German Society of Charlotte, German American Club, former Bruns German Immersion School, Deutsche Schule, Pfeiffer University, and more). The former Honorary Consul of the Federal Republic of Germany, Kurt Waldthausen, was also there and has always been a strong supporter of all Charlotte Sister Cities events celebrating Charlotte’s partnership with Krefeld. A raffle was held with German themed prizes and popular Krefeld beers and German food were brought in for everyone to enjoy. Bruns German Immersion school teachers coordinated student choirs who sang traditional German songs and they also organized special Maifest games for kids to play throughout the day. Charlotte Sister Cities hosted the popular Krefeld Saxemble Quartet, who performed at the event as well. Members of the Saxemble Quartet stayed with local host families and enjoyed many different experiences throughout their time in Charlotte.